BFPP NEWS

Dear BFPP Families,

A big thank you to all of those who participated in the survey and/or Thought Partner Meetings so far this spring; plus the notes from those who could not attend or the follow up input and conversations. I truly believe that we are stronger together and BFPP is a collective of strong, caring and involved individuals….we make amazing things happen.

We are looking to make a few innovative changes and the one I want to share today is the annual calendar. We have been pretty stuck in the semester and year-long sessions. We recognize, and so do many of you that we heard from over the years, that this does not follow the natural flow of home learning or extended unit development. There is always a different feel to Dec/Jan and May/June, so we created a 12/5/12/5 calendar. This has 12 week terms that will look pretty similar to the current and past enrichment schedule (while there will be some changes there too, that is for next time) and will allow for some innovation and flexibility with the 5 week winter and spring sessions. The intent of the 5 week sessions is to have some strong co-created community based opportunities, workshops, themes and topics that just don’t need to be 12 weeks long, camp like creations and family generated events. We see this a time for real innovation and co-creation.

It looks something like this:

• Beginning two weeks of school for learning plan meetings, co-creation and back to school events - Sept. 2nd – 12th
• First Term (12 weeks) – Sept. 14th – Dec. 5th
• Winter Session (5 weeks) – Dec. 8th – Jan. 23rd
• Mid-Year Conversation and learning plan meetings – Jan. 26th – 30th
• Second Term (12 weeks) – Feb. 2nd – May 1st
• Spring Session (5 weeks) – May 4th – June 5th
• End of year learning plan meetings – June 8th – 15th

Once the district calendar is set, we will be able to send you a visual version. Here is a link to share your feedback: https://forms.office.com/r/BchmXCLbAa

More info coming soon about the Enrichment Class Schedule in the May 16th Newsletter!!

In partnership and appreciation,

Dr. Kate

Greetings BFPP Families,

Can you believe that May is here? The final stretch of the school year is upon us and the weeks are flying by! This last leg of the year is full of fun events and excitement - Keep an eye out for community programming that might interest your family!

Feeling overwhelmed during this busy time? Reach out to me if talking and brainstorming might be helpful. I’m also including a resource directory and our family resource specialist’s email below.

Whatcom Resources Directory: Search | Whatcom Asset Building Coalition

BFPP Family Resource Specialist: Emily.Humphrey-Krigbaum@BellinghamSchools.org

You got this BFPP!

Warmly,

Counselor Jess

jessica.sheasley@bellinghamschools.org

360-676-6424 x 4966

Dear Families,

Some of you may know that I will be leaving my position effective May 2nd. I have put a lot of thought into this. I recently renewed my teaching license, so I am following my heart to work with little children again in a classroom setting. There’s an opportunity for me at Head Start, so I am going for it! While I haven’t been here for very long, I appreciate the connections I’ve made with you all.

Warmly,

Sheri Robinson

MAY

Mon. 5/5, 9-10:30am: Manga & Me

Tues. 5/6, 11-12pm: Parent Book Club

Tues. 5/6, 12:30-2pm: High School Meeting

Tues. 5/6, 12:15pm: Doktor Kaboom @MBT

Thurs. 5/8, 12pm: Staff Appreciation Lunch

Tues. 5/13, 12:30-2pm: Parenting Workshop

Thurs. 5/15, 12pm: iReady Registration Due

Fri. 5/16: Bike to School Day

Fri. 5/16: MOD Pizza Fundraiser

Fri. 5/16, 12:30pm: Orchestra Concert @WWU

5/20-5/30: iReady Assessment Window

5/19-5/23: Spirit Week

Thurs. 5/22, 12:30-2pm: Craft Fair & Carnival

Mon. 5/26: Memorial Day, No School

5/28-5/30: Newsies Performances

JUNE

6/1-6/3: Family Camping Trip

Thurs. 6/5: Learning Showcase

Fri. 6/6: Last Day of Classes

Thurs. 6/12, 11-12pm: 8th Grade Celebration

6/9-6/13: Learning Plan Meetings

Fri. 6/13: Last Day of School

There is still room in Teacher Piper's new Tuesday classes below. Please email her to enroll.

Community Boardgame Bonanza Class

Tuesdays, 12:30- 1:25pm in the Multi-purpose room

All grade levels and families are welcome.

French Friends Class

Tuesdays, 2:30-3pm in the Global Citizen Room

Grades K-2

A short, 30-minute French class with lots of singing, games and fun for our youngest learners.

May 6th from 11-12pm in the BFPP library

Led by Brooke Wertz (teacher at BFPP) & Gretchen Anderson (parent at BFPP).

This is an open format book club with the adult reader in mind. We may/may not choose to read some of the same titles and we will definitely share recommendations. Let’s create community

through a shared appreciation of book love! Bring a mug of your favorite drink. We’re excited to see you!

Continuing Wednesdays through May!

Please join teachers Jess & Brooke for Forward Movement Club, every Wednesday 10:00-11:00am. We roll, walk, run while we talk, explore, and enjoy time outside moving. Every body welcome! Meet on the BFPP playground.

Let's recognize our amazing BFPP staff with one final luncheon of the year in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. We still need some help with items for the lunch. Can you bring cornbread, chips, drinks, or a dessert? Please click here to sign up.

** If you're interested in leading or helping with staff appreciation activities for next year, please contact Heidi**

Tuesday, May 13th at 12:30-2pm

This workshop series welcomes any adults who are curious about building community and finding tools to balance setting boundaries while communicating empathy. We will again delve into the research of Dr. Becky Kennedy, clinical psychologist and author of Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want To Be. Join us! Come with some thoughts about this Dr. Becky nugget: The role of a sturdy parent is to: “acknowledge, validate, permit.” And for those of you who haven’t yet listened to Dr. Becky on the Huberman Lab (this podcast is our primary resource), listen to it here. Please RSVP Erin or just show up!

Saddle up, get in gear, and mark your calendars for Bike to Work and School Day on Friday, May 16th!

Contact Teacher Brooke if you are interested in helping with a celebration station at BFPP for Bike to School Day.

Friday, May 16th from 12:30-1:30pm

WWU Performing Arts Center Concert Hall

BFPP has reserved 30 seats at the upcoming WWU Orchestra Concert at WWU Performing Arts Center. Your whole family is invited to this show that will last approximately 50 minutes.

Please click here to reserve your seats.

Mark your calendars for our annual MOD Pizza Day! MOD Pizza is donating 25% of sales to BFPP on Friday, May 16th - just bring in a flyer or mention this fundraiser to the cashier, or be sure to type "MODGIVES25" in your online order. Help us beat last year's total funds raised of $237! We're aiming for 25 families to participate. Spread the word to your friends, neighbors, and family members!

Our Spring iReady assessment window will occur Tuesday, May 20th through Friday, May 30th. This will be our final iReady assessment for the 2024-2025 academic year. If you want your child to participate in this assessment window, you need to register using the link below.

• iReady will help determine areas of strength and growth in reading and math.
• iReady should be used 3x a year (fall, winter, spring) to chart your child’s growth; however, you are not required to participate in each of these cycles.
• iReady is done at home with your technical guidance, but not your help.
• Let your child know that this is one tool, one snapshot of their learning, one moment in time. An assessment is never the sum of their intelligence.
• Learn more about i-Ready by watching the following videos:

1. I-Ready Diagnostic for Families
2. I-Ready Family Center

To participate in the Spring iReady assessment window, you must register your child HERE. Registration is open now through Thursday, May 15th at 12pm.

Once registered, you will have the Window of May 20th-May 30th to complete the assessment at home by using the iReady link on our program website. The iReady link is found on our BFPP website under the “Academics” tab. Be aware that the assessment is only available during school days and hours; Mon-Friday 7:00-4:00pm. Please note that your child must have a school district laptop for the assessment. Please email ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Erin with questions.

Thursday, May 22nd, 12:30-2pm

Kids are invited to vend their crafts and carnival games at our annual Spring Craft Fair & Carnival on the BFPP Playfield. Past carnival booths have included things like Put Put Golf, Plinko, Homemade Video Game, Popcorn Machine, Cotton Candy, and Bean Bag Toss. Crafts run the gamut from painted rocks and plant starts to macrons and beaded jewelry! Kids run their own booth and set their prices. This year we're excited to add live music - musicians can sign up for a busking slot!

Please click here to sign up for a booth.

All are welcome to come and support the young entrepreneurs, so please invite your friends, neighbors, and family.

Click here to RSVP for the Camping Trip.

Save the date! We are planning a showcase of all the wonderful learning that our BFPP community does that will take place on 6/5 so put the date on your calendar – it will be at BFPP and the time is to be announced. We will put out the sign-up in the next newsletter on 5/16 and you can also sign up with counselor Jess.

All types of learning can be showcased:

• Live Performance - Dance/Skits/Music/Etc. (you’ll sign up for a performance slot)
• Screenings – Movies/Recordings/Etc. (we can project them)
• Fine Arts/Digital Arts/Craftmanship Projects (tabling)
• Home Learning Projects – Science/History/Research/Etc. (tabling)
• Enrichment Projects – Classes/Clubs/Etc. (tabling)

Want to get involved? We are meeting on 5/7 and 5/21 from 1-2pm in the counseling office to discuss and plan! Can’t make those two times but still want to be involved in planning? Email Counselor Jess!

An 8th grade celebration is in the works for all families who would like to participate! This event will be held on Thursday, June 12th at 11am-12pm in the gym. It’s being organized by BFPP families and we'd love your input.

Please complete this short SURVEY by 5/16 to help prepare for this event. We appreciate your help! If you can assist with the celebration, please reach out to Annie Graham at annie.cmg@gmail.com.

A Meal Train has been set up for BFPP family Holden and Brooke Scott as Brooke begins cancer treatment. Thanks for keeping Brooke and Holden in your thoughts!

Please click here to view the Meal Train page.

Procession of the Species is Back! Join in a beloved Bellingham tradition on Saturday, May 3rd.

Click here for more info on the parade and ways you can participate.

Calling all artists! Exhibit your art at the Whatcom Art Center. The theme is "From the Mountains to the Sea." Pieces may be as large as 20x24 and need to be ready to hang, but not necessarily framed. Artwork must be dropped off at the Whatcom Art Center on Thursday, May 22nd, from 1-5 pm.

Please include a white 3 x 5" index card with each submission that includes the following:

Title

Medium

Student's Name

Grade

Teacher (if applicable)

School

Join our kung fu fitness program on Fridays in the Fort at BFPP!

Please visit our website for information on pricing and a detailed class description.

K-5th grade: Fridays 10-11am

5th-8th grade: Fridays 11-12pm

Starting in Fall 2025, Futsal enrichment classes will be offered at the Bellingham Family Partnership Program.

What is Futsal, you may ask? Futsal is a fast-paced, indoor version of soccer typically played on a hard court with two teams of five players each. It is characterized by a smaller, heavier ball and a compact playing area, emphasizing close ball control, quick footwork, and technical skills. These classes will be run by Chuckanut Tide FC , a new, community-driven competitive youth soccer club in Whatcom County.

More details coming soon!!

Can you guess what our newest BFPP community members are?

Newsletter contributions always welcome! Please send items of interest to our school community to Heidi Zollner.

Welcome Guide

BFPP Calendar

Staff Directory

BFPP Clubs

AL*e Parent Login

AL*e Parent Login Instructions

How to Use AL*e to Register for Classes

Vision, Mission, and Core Beliefs

Newsletter Archive

Website: https://fpp.bellinghamschools.org
Location: 1409 18th Street, Bellingham, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 676-6424